We explore the pioneering reality police radio show Unit 99 that aired on KFBK radio in Sacramento from 1957-1958, setting the template for all future police reality shows.
• Unit 99 represented a groundbreaking innovation in radio programming, recording real police interactions with a tape recorder-equipped patrol car
• KFBK radio, a heritage station celebrating over 100 years of broadcasting, created the show featuring real officers, real criminals, and real victims
• The show's format predated "COPS" and all modern reality police programming by decades
• Sergeant Dan Meredith served as the recording officer, accompanying patrol units on actual calls
• Police Chief James V. Hicks hosted the program, emphasizing its authentic nature
• The episode features two actual cases from December 1957: a domestic dispute and a window-smashing incident
• Despite its short run (August 1957-June 1958), Unit 99 was picked up by Armed Forces Radio, expanding its influence globally
• The program represents a fascinating time capsule of mid-century American policing methods and public attitudes
Listen to the full episode to hear actual recordings from this groundbreaking show that created an entire genre of entertainment.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Welcome back Keeps podcast number 313 on a Thursday
, august 7th 2025.
And as I look out into thebeautiful foothills of Northern
California, it's a warm day Inthe 90s, probably upper 90s.
(00:39):
Today, summer's really kind ofkicking in finally, but still
again not that hot.
Appreciate you being there.
My name is pat walsh, by theway.
Host of the pat walsh radioshow is heard on kfpk radio in
sacramento, 93.1 fm, 15, 30 amand streaming live everyone that
(01:01):
free free iHeart app.
But always a pleasure.
Remember exciting things tocome at patspeepscom.
And yesterday I was talkingabout Cecilia who was having a
birthday.
I hope she had a great birthday.
I hope you had a great birthday, cece.
We were doing listener contentand I mentioned that Cece always
and a lot of you always send megreat content.
(01:24):
So I try to feature that andone of the things that Cecilia
had sent to me a few years agoand I just found it fascinating.
As I said, I work at KAPK.
Kapk is a heritage radiostation.
We celebrated the 100-yearanniversary of the radio station
.
What it's been a few yearsalready.
What year was that?
I can't remember, maybe 20, 22,23, something like that
(01:47):
recently, but it is a legendaryheritage radio station kfbk.
One of the things that they didand one of the things that
makes it legendary is they wereinnovators.
Yeah, you had real.
You had rush limbaugh that camefrom kfbk, morton downey Jr,
who I've talked about before,you know Tom Sullivan there's
(02:07):
just a lot of big talent that'scome from KFBK Dave Williams and
I have been glad to be a partof that.
But in the earlier days, back inthe 50s, talk about innovative
and setting a trend and doingsomething, literally creating a
genre.
That was KFBK, with a show thatCeCe turned me on to called
(02:28):
Unit 99.
This went until June 13th of 58.
Tony Kester was the directorhere in Sacramento.
James B Hicks was the chief ofSacramento police.
He was the host, and then Danexcuse me, meredith was the
sergeant that was on duty.
This is during the late 50s andaudiences were captivated by
(02:51):
this innovative radio show.
So what they did is theybrought real life police work
into their homes.
Sound familiar cops right nowyou see it on YouTube everywhere
.
But cops, that's what cops was.
Unit 99 first aired august 23rd1957 on kfbk.
It lasted until june 3rd 1958.
(03:15):
After the initial broadcast,unit 99 picked up for
rebroadcast by the armed forcesradio and Expanded the show's
reach beyond its initialaudience, bringing its
narratives and the compellingperformances to servicemen and
women around the world.
These are real officers.
And despite the relativelyshort run, unit 99 left a
(03:39):
lasting impact on the landscapeof the radio drama.
Great storytelling too.
More than just a radio program,it was the pioneer in its genre
, as I said.
So, without further ado, I wantto say thank you, cece, for
turning me on to this.
And now, from December 6th 1957, unit 99 on Pat's Peeps 313.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
KMA 907, Sacramento Police Unit 99,.
Are you in the clear?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Unit 99 to KMA 907.
Unit 99, sergeant Meredith 909,in service on the air.
This is Sergeant Dan Meredithof Unit 99, at Headquarters
Police Department City ofSacramento, california.
My detail is to ride in Unit 99, our tape recorder-equipped
(04:31):
radio car, and to respondwhenever the dispatcher
transmits a signal to one of ourother units on duty somewhere
in the city.
At the scene we make therecordings which we provide for
this program.
Now, to tell you more aboutUnit 99, here is our chief,
james V Hicks, sacramento Police.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
The job of a police officer is your protection.
The cases you hear on thisradio program are real cases.
The police are real, thevictims and the criminals are
real.
We are glad to provide Unit 99and Sergeant Meredith so that
you will hear how the police ofa great city work night and day
for your protection.
Make no mistake about it thereare no actors on these tapes.
(05:12):
They are real from beginning toend.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now to Unit 99 and Sergeant Dan Meredith on duty,
unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2, check on a womanscreaming in the vicinity of
(05:35):
1231 G George, code 2.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Came in on a 7.
Code 2 for Unit 2.
Woman screaming,200 block on GGeorge.
We're not too far away, webetter get on it.
We're ahead of the unit, can'thear anything.
We better go up though.
Let's get out.
(06:12):
This is a four-unit apartmenthouse, two-story stucco.
Let's listen around for amoment, going inside.
Are you the gentleman that putin the call on this?
Yeah, I put in the call.
(06:33):
And what house here did you say?
It came out of?
The one up here.
I can't tell you where from Iwas listening, only from the
window, which was this side, andit had the this voice saying it
wasn't the voice.
It was the window which wasthis side and it had, as if it
can, this voice saying it wasn'ta voice.
It was a woman.
What'd you say it was a woman?
What was she saying?
No, no, no, you say she wasscreaming.
(06:55):
Though she was screaming, yeah,real loudly.
Here the officer's on the call.
He says it came out of probablythis apartment house here.
I don't see it.
Parking house here.
I don't know.
My window is over there.
You only heard one scream ortwo or more.
You don't get through here.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
You have to go around there this way, sergeant.
How many times did you hear himscream?
Oh, scream is about half anhour, 20 minutes, maybe 20
minutes.
Yes, first you go.
No, no, no.
Then my wife called me.
I came to the window and thenshe cried, and then I rushed to
the phone to phone you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
All right, we'll look and see what we can find Well
you're sure.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
It's just about where it did come from around the
side here.
This way, surgeon and Tony, itis in the back of the building
(07:57):
here, somewhere Back further.
We're close to the alley now,aren't we?
Yeah, you said it had beengoing on for about 20 minutes to
a half hour.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
Looks like there's been something scattered around
the backyard.
We're going up the back ofanother apartment house nearby.
Who is it?
Police department, ma'am, can Ispeak to you?
Yes, just a moment here.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
get back in here.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
Have you heard any unusual noises in the last 15,
20 minutes?
No, I've been watchingtelevision.
Do you hear anything thatsounded like a scream of a lady?
Speaker 3 (09:03):
No, Was there any screaming on your television?
I don't believe so.
No, what program were youwatching?
Speaker 7 (09:12):
Oh, I was so scared.
I can't think you shouldn't bescared of us.
Oh, the dog was barking andit's so dark out there I've been
afraid someone's going to comeup there anyway, so why isn't?
Speaker 2 (09:23):
he screaming.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
You haven't heard anything.
No, well, okay, thank you verymuch.
I'm sorry I bothered you.
That's okay, I'll get the dooropen.
Oh, we got a flashlight.
Thanks a lot, ma'am, uh-huh.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Evidently, Sergeant, it's all over with Seems like
it's unfounded, Dan.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
However, it's always best to check this thing
thoroughly.
You never know Things.
Little things turn into bigthings.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I hear Tony, calling out, tony calling, let's get
going.
Let's get going.
(10:19):
The officer is going inside.
Okay, what seemed to be thetrouble here?
Oh, I fell down the back stairs.
You fell down the back stairs.
Who do you live with here,ma'am?
Speaker 7 (10:34):
She's all right.
Oh, a friend of mine.
I've known her a long time.
Have you been drinking tonight?
Yes, I had a couple drinks.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Now, why don't you tell us the truth?
Now I see your shoulders areall scratched.
It's not from falling, BecauseI'll tell you why.
The citizen that called up saidit's been going on for the last
15 to 20 minutes.
Now you haven't been falling upand down those steps for the
last 15, 20 minutes, have you no?
Speaker 6 (10:59):
Well, tell us what the scoop is.
We're here to help you, not tohurt you.
Come on now, tell us your story.
You been living here withsomebody.
Where's he at?
Speaker 7 (11:14):
Not.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Who beat you up tonight?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Nobody beat me up.
Well, is that party here, thisnobody that you're talking about
.
Is he here now?
No, Did he leave?
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Where'd he go?
You have an awful bruise onyour back there.
What did he hit you with Hisfist?
No, nobody hit me.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Your back's all scratched.
Now let's have the truth.
Let's have the truth.
I can't have the steps.
You can't scratch yourself likethat on the steps.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
Well, if you don't want any help, we're here to
help you.
Ma'am, we didn't come here justto talk to you.
If you're having anydifficulties, why don't you tell
us about it?
What is it?
Your common-law husband.
Speaker 7 (12:07):
No, the boyfriend, mm-mm, are you afraid?
I fell down the back step.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I know you've told us that now that's not the truth
and you know it.
Now we're here to help you.
Just like the officer said, goget a chicken.
All right, we'll talk with theother party.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Let's go in and talk with them.
The man in the house hereseemed to think it was the woman
in the front room that did thebeating.
Oh, is she here now?
She is another person in thefront room sleeping here.
Who beat you up and why?
What was the reason?
Yes, ma'am, someone did beatyou.
You have marks all over yourback there, your arms.
(12:47):
Now, why did they beat you?
Tell us now.
Don't start crying, just tellus the story.
Nobody beat me, ma'am.
You couldn't have done thatyourself, could you?
Hmm, let's check with thisother lady.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
Hmm, let's check with this other lady.
There are officer surgeons inthe room now.
Hey, was there a littledifficulty here a little while
ago?
Not that I know of Between youand the other lady.
No, next room Me.
Have you heard any screamingwithin the last 15, 20 minutes?
No, have you been in bed allnight?
(13:27):
Uh-huh, let me check your elbowthere.
Lift your arm up.
It's all skinned.
Oh, that's nothing.
Have you been fighting tonightwith that girl next door?
No, listen, does she drinkquite a bit?
Uh-huh, she got beat up tonight.
She howls quite a bit too.
Yeah, what about Nothing?
Just for no reason at all, justhollers.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Well, she's pretty well marked up.
She just screams period.
Let me see your elbow again.
That looks like a freshlyinjured elbow.
My elbow, right there, see,right there.
No.
Speaker 6 (14:00):
Would you have beef with her?
Sure she did we.
Would you have beef with her?
Sure she did.
We aren't going to arrest you,we just want to find out what
the scoop is.
We're here to keep the peace.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Now listen, let's have the truth.
They almost say that you did.
Let's get this thing on thedoor here.
Speaker 9 (14:18):
Not that I know of.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Well, that's what the mother party in the kitchen was
saying there now.
Well, did something report thisor something?
You've been drinking that,mm-hmm, I've been drinking that.
You've been drinking with her?
Yeah, I've been drinking too.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
I mean, you know, you all live in this house.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Um, I live here, yeah , how many girls live here.
Speaker 10 (14:41):
Um, just me, we just don't ride along, I know it.
Oh, just me, I know.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Well who are these two ladies?
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, they come over and visit us, because you were
screaming and fighting andeverything else.
Well, what are you supposed tosay?
Didn't do anything, I didn'tknow there was any noise, was it
noise?
Speaker 7 (15:07):
Well, let's not have any more of this.
Now I come to visit.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
You just came to visit tonight.
Oh, you're not living here asan occupant.
She says she was fighting withthe one that's in bed in the
front room tonight and that theyfight every so often and they
admit they've both been drinkingquite a bit.
(15:32):
She's not interested inprosecuting and, as far as she's
concerned, why, she doesn'teven care if we want to help her
or not.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
She just as soon we forget about it forget about
find out the reason for thefight.
Let's go to the station with.
The other options are maybethey have an answer for surgeon.
(16:03):
Did you and civil finally findout what that was all about?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Well, dan, it seems as though that you know.
Remember the lady in the frontbedroom there that was in the
bed.
Well, she and the one that wasin the middle bedroom crying,
they came up from Stockton andthey started drinking with that
man and that other lady, withthat man and that other lady,
(16:28):
and this other lady accused theblonde of fooling around with
this man that lives there, andthis other lady that came from
Stockton with the blonde startedprotecting him.
One thing led to another, andthe two of them got into a fight
and they were fighting out inthe back, and then they saw the
police coming down the alley, sothey ran into the house to get
(16:49):
out of the policeman way andthen, finally, tony found where
the disturbance was, and thatwas about all.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
The report of a woman screaming indicated anything
from assault and robbery tomurder.
It was something of ananticlimax when it turned out to
be two women clawing andscratching over a man who,
incidentally, was 77 years old.
They quieted down and noarrests were made.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
Unit 3.
Unit 3, a man broke a window inthe laundry at 3rd and K King
and is going east on 3rd Streetfrom L.
There's a tall colored manfollowing him.
940a on that Code.
2.
(17:34):
Check 3.
Came in on a 7.
Check 3, came in on a 7.
This window smash.
We have a license number.
It's the car involved.
Speaker 9 (17:45):
Late, model, yellow, with a continental kit, license
number ARB702.
There's a window smash about3rd and K Street.
Unit 3 got the call.
They also had another call inthe vicinity and had to leave
(18:07):
the scene of the window smash sothey called in Unit 2.
Unit 2 is covering the buildinguntil they can contact the
owner.
A description of the car andlicense number has been
broadcast.
Unit 4 has just picked up thatcar or one answering the
description.
(18:28):
They're returning them to thescene.
Let's go down and see if we canfind out what actually happened
.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
Hi, ben, what do you got here?
Well, we have a window smashhere, 1106 3rd Street.
This citizen here, gentlemanthere seen two fellas, one of
them break the window and whenhe come near one of them says
somebody's coming to get out ofhere.
And they went south to L Streetand then they headed over to
5th and fifth now and they gotinto a car license number.
(19:00):
He got the number, jotted thenumber down ARB 702 and Took off
and car.
We announced the number on theair and car for has spotted them
.
They're gonna bring him back thedescription on, have him
identify.
One was just tall, mexican, hesaid.
The other was short, dark.
He thought it was was negro,but he said it could have been
dark mexican and, uh, they'regoing to bring him here for him
(19:22):
to identify him.
And I guess all we have ismalicious mischief.
At the time they didn't getanything, he said, because they
saw him coming and they statedthat uh, here comes somebody,
let's get out of here.
Who's your partner?
Uh, harrington, was he talkingto that witness?
Now he's over there.
Yes, he has questioned him.
Okay, we'll go talk to him.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Uh, where were you and your wife when you first
seen the man coming down?
Speaker 7 (19:49):
Me and my wife was walking from this street.
Up there, let's see the NewBanks Cafe.
Speaker 9 (19:55):
Let's move over the New Banks Cafe.
Let's move over away from thestreet blocks huh.
Speaker 7 (20:02):
Now we see about half the places behind these guys.
This is a colored guy, either aMexican or a Puerto Rican, 7.
And one big, tall one lookedlike a Mexican or white man.
He come along and bust open thewindow.
Rich is hanging there andanother guy grabbed him, drug
him on down the street and hestuck along, stuck along all the
way down the street.
Rich is hanging there, anotherguy grabbed him, drug him on
down the street and they stuckalong, stuck all the way down
the street.
We meet her, trailed him righton.
I said look at them guysbreaking the hindrance plate.
(20:22):
She said let's trail him, callthe police.
So we trailed him on down tothis corner here and I go in
that liquor store.
I followed me up going on LStreet and I followed them on
down to Fulton L and theytussled out a little bit.
Then they went on down by thatparking lot down there and they
got in a yellow automobile atthe bottom I don't know what
(20:44):
color at the top and I said whatkind of car is that?
She said I don't know.
I said well, get the licensenumber.
And she got the license numberAR on up this way on 5th Street,
unit 4, just arrived.
Speaker 9 (21:07):
The car in question is being driven by the other
officer, Green.
Is this the car that was?
Speaker 8 (21:10):
involved?
I don't know.
This is the car that was putout on the radio and we picked
it up at Carl's Drive-In at 38thand Broadway.
Speaker 9 (21:19):
Well, here's the two witnesses Green.
They identify the car, theyidentify this man and they'd
like to have you get the onethat's sitting in the back seat
out so they can see the onewho's sitting in the back seat?
Speaker 8 (21:29):
Okay, on which side?
On this side, on this side ofthe car.
Speaker 9 (21:38):
Yes, officer Green is getting the other man out of
the car so he can be.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
That's the one right there, he's the one.
He's the one who broke thiswindow here.
Yeah, he's the one.
He's the one who broke thewindow.
Speaker 10 (21:53):
Same code.
That's the one.
That's the same man.
Speaker 8 (21:56):
What's that Green.
He has blood on his hand here,bruce, from a cut.
Speaker 11 (21:59):
What'd they try?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
to do.
Speaker 8 (22:01):
That's the same one.
Where'd you get this blood at?
I know he was carrying it Imight have hit a window.
Speaker 6 (22:05):
You might have hit a window, mm-hmm.
Speaker 8 (22:09):
Where might you?
Speaker 10 (22:10):
have hit the window at Either down this street or
the next street.
Down Was this gentleman withyou?
Speaker 8 (22:16):
No, he wasn't, you was by yourself.
I was no, I was with him, youwas with him at the time.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
No, I never seen this man before and he just Stop
it.
I never seen this man before.
I never seen this man before.
Wait a minute, wait a minute,wait a minute.
You hit Okay, I never, when Iwas still I don't know.
I was trying to help you he hitthe.
Speaker 8 (22:38):
He was with you when he hit the.
No, I never I never.
Speaker 10 (22:40):
I never seen this, but I never said I would, just I
was I hope.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
Is he in the service also?
No way, no way.
Speaker 10 (22:46):
It's just a guy you picked up uh, I'll be glad to
pay for this window.
I will.
I felt responsible for it.
I mean, he got a little high.
I was trying to take him home.
Speaker 7 (22:57):
He took him out on the street.
I got him to the car.
He's twice my size.
Don't say you don't know me,that's all right, I don't know,
officer, Stop it.
Speaker 10 (23:09):
Well, I just want to say my piece.
I have been on parole since the27th of February.
What for?
I was put up for burglary andcar theft.
Since that time I have beenworking and I would like to keep
that job if I possibly could.
Speaker 8 (23:32):
Do you go around breaking windows like this all
the time Only?
Speaker 10 (23:36):
when I'm drunk.
If you would explain to my oldman, my dad, that I am
uncontrollable when I'm drunk, Iwould surely appreciate it.
How old are you?
I'm 17.
And you drink like this all thetime.
I've drank like this for thepast two weeks.
Speaker 8 (24:00):
Pretty bad shape for such a young kid.
I agree with him.
Speaker 9 (24:07):
Well, there's no question that this man broke the
window.
What are you going to do now,Green?
Speaker 8 (24:11):
Well, we'll try to meet the car that made the
report and if they don't comeback in a few minutes, We'll
take them into the station andturn them over to them and let
them Long.
It'll get these people's namesand addresses and We'll give
them for.
Speaker 10 (24:27):
I would like to make a quest, a statement, this time
.
I Think If you would make mepay for the window and all the
damage that was done, I workedfor $2.32 an hour.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
The window was worth about $9, right, it would have
made it much simpler for you tostay here in the first place.
It would have Made somearrangements.
Speaker 10 (24:53):
But I didn't want to confess to these people that I
was under 21.
I mean, they didn't knowanything about it.
I mean you can tell yourselfthat I'm very you been drinking
down here in the lower end.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
No, I haven't when you been drinking at, could I
not tell you?
I'd like to know where you'vebeen drinking Out there, at the
floor.
You've been drinking out on thefloor in a bar, that's right.
You drink out there all thetime.
No, this was the first night,first night you've been drinking
(25:27):
out there.
Mm-hmm.
Well, we're going to take youto the station.
Speaker 9 (25:31):
Bruce.
I think that would be the bestunder the circumstances.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
This case could have been more serious than it turned
out, with burglary apossibility.
The alertness of the couple,who wrote down the license
number of the car and called thepolice, resulted in the speedy
apprehension of the culprit.
He was booked on a charge ofmalicious mischief and parole to
his parents.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
This is Unit 99 in Sacramento, California.
These on-the-scene taperecordings were provided by the
Sacramento Police Department andwere made on duty by Sergeant
Dan Meredith in Unit 99.
Your host is Chief James VHicks of the Sacramento Police
Department.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
KMA 907, sacramento Police, unit 99,.
Are you in the clear?
Speaker 3 (26:27):
Unit 99 to KMA 907.
Speaker 11 (26:36):
Unit 99, sergeant Meredith, you through the
worldwide facilities of theUnited States Armed Forces Radio
and Television Service.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Thank you for listening.
Thank you, Cecilia.
Thank you for listening to PatsPeeps 313.
We'll see you on the radio.
Welcome back Keeps podcast number 313 on a Thursday
, august 7th 2025.
And as I look out into thebeautiful foothills of Northern
California, it's a warm day Inthe 90s, probably upper 90s.
(00:39):
Today, summer's really kind ofkicking in finally, but still
again not that hot.
Appreciate you being there.
My name is pat walsh, by theway.
Host of the pat walsh radioshow is heard on kfpk radio in
sacramento, 93.1 fm, 15, 30 amand streaming live everyone that
(01:01):
free free iHeart app.
But always a pleasure.
Remember exciting things tocome at patspeepscom.
And yesterday I was talkingabout Cecilia who was having a
birthday.
I hope she had a great birthday.
I hope you had a great birthday, cece.
We were doing listener contentand I mentioned that Cece always
and a lot of you always send megreat content.
(01:24):
So I try to feature that andone of the things that Cecilia
had sent to me a few years agoand I just found it fascinating.
As I said, I work at KAPK.
Kapk is a heritage radiostation.
We celebrated the 100-yearanniversary of the radio station
.
What it's been a few yearsalready.
What year was that?
I can't remember, maybe 20, 22,23, something like that
(01:47):
recently, but it is a legendaryheritage radio station kfbk.
One of the things that they didand one of the things that
makes it legendary is they wereinnovators.
Yeah, you had real.
You had rush limbaugh that camefrom kfbk, morton downey Jr,
who I've talked about before,you know Tom Sullivan there's
(02:07):
just a lot of big talent that'scome from KFBK Dave Williams and
I have been glad to be a partof that.
But in the earlier days, back inthe 50s, talk about innovative
and setting a trend and doingsomething, literally creating a
genre.
That was KFBK, with a show thatCeCe turned me on to called
(02:28):
Unit 99.
This went until June 13th of 58.
Tony Kester was the directorhere in Sacramento.
James B Hicks was the chief ofSacramento police.
He was the host, and then Danexcuse me, meredith was the
sergeant that was on duty.
This is during the late 50s andaudiences were captivated by
(02:51):
this innovative radio show.
So what they did is theybrought real life police work
into their homes.
Sound familiar cops right nowyou see it on YouTube everywhere
.
But cops, that's what cops was.
Unit 99 first aired august 23rd1957 on kfbk.
It lasted until june 3rd 1958.
(03:15):
After the initial broadcast,unit 99 picked up for
rebroadcast by the armed forcesradio and Expanded the show's
reach beyond its initialaudience, bringing its
narratives and the compellingperformances to servicemen and
women around the world.
These are real officers.
And despite the relativelyshort run, unit 99 left a
(03:39):
lasting impact on the landscapeof the radio drama.
Great storytelling too.
More than just a radio program,it was the pioneer in its genre
, as I said.
So, without further ado, I wantto say thank you, cece, for
turning me on to this.
And now, from December 6th 1957, unit 99 on Pat's Peeps 313.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
KMA 907, Sacramento Police Unit 99,.
Are you in the clear?
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Unit 99 to KMA 907.
Unit 99, sergeant Meredith 909,in service on the air.
This is Sergeant Dan Meredithof Unit 99, at Headquarters
Police Department City ofSacramento, california.
My detail is to ride in Unit 99, our tape recorder-equipped
(04:31):
radio car, and to respondwhenever the dispatcher
transmits a signal to one of ourother units on duty somewhere
in the city.
At the scene we make therecordings which we provide for
this program.
Now, to tell you more aboutUnit 99, here is our chief,
james V Hicks, sacramento Police.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
The job of a police officer is your protection.
The cases you hear on thisradio program are real cases.
The police are real, thevictims and the criminals are
real.
We are glad to provide Unit 99and Sergeant Meredith so that
you will hear how the police ofa great city work night and day
for your protection.
Make no mistake about it thereare no actors on these tapes.
(05:12):
They are real from beginning toend.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now to Unit 99 and Sergeant Dan Meredith on duty,
unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2.
Unit 2, check on a womanscreaming in the vicinity of
(05:35):
1231 G George, code 2.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Came in on a 7.
Code 2 for Unit 2.
Woman screaming,200 block on GGeorge.
We're not too far away, webetter get on it.
We're ahead of the unit, can'thear anything.
We better go up though.
Let's get out.
(06:12):
This is a four-unit apartmenthouse, two-story stucco.
Let's listen around for amoment, going inside.
Are you the gentleman that putin the call on this?
Yeah, I put in the call.
(06:33):
And what house here did you say?
It came out of?
The one up here.
I can't tell you where from Iwas listening, only from the
window, which was this side, andit had the this voice saying it
wasn't the voice.
It was the window which wasthis side and it had, as if it
can, this voice saying it wasn'ta voice.
It was a woman.
What'd you say it was a woman?
What was she saying?
No, no, no, you say she wasscreaming.
(06:55):
Though she was screaming, yeah,real loudly.
Here the officer's on the call.
He says it came out of probablythis apartment house here.
I don't see it.
Parking house here.
I don't know.
My window is over there.
You only heard one scream ortwo or more.
You don't get through here.
Speaker 6 (07:12):
You have to go around there this way, sergeant.
How many times did you hear himscream?
Oh, scream is about half anhour, 20 minutes, maybe 20
minutes.
Yes, first you go.
No, no, no.
Then my wife called me.
I came to the window and thenshe cried, and then I rushed to
the phone to phone you.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
All right, we'll look and see what we can find Well
you're sure.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
It's just about where it did come from around the
side here.
This way, surgeon and Tony, itis in the back of the building
(07:57):
here, somewhere Back further.
We're close to the alley now,aren't we?
Yeah, you said it had beengoing on for about 20 minutes to
a half hour.
Speaker 6 (08:33):
Looks like there's been something scattered around
the backyard.
We're going up the back ofanother apartment house nearby.
Who is it?
Police department, ma'am, can Ispeak to you?
Yes, just a moment here.
Speaker 7 (08:53):
get back in here.
Speaker 6 (08:54):
Have you heard any unusual noises in the last 15,
20 minutes?
No, I've been watchingtelevision.
Do you hear anything thatsounded like a scream of a lady?
Speaker 3 (09:03):
No, Was there any screaming on your television?
I don't believe so.
No, what program were youwatching?
Speaker 7 (09:12):
Oh, I was so scared.
I can't think you shouldn't bescared of us.
Oh, the dog was barking andit's so dark out there I've been
afraid someone's going to comeup there anyway, so why isn't?
Speaker 2 (09:23):
he screaming.
Speaker 6 (09:23):
You haven't heard anything.
No, well, okay, thank you verymuch.
I'm sorry I bothered you.
That's okay, I'll get the dooropen.
Oh, we got a flashlight.
Thanks a lot, ma'am, uh-huh.
Speaker 3 (09:45):
Evidently, Sergeant, it's all over with Seems like
it's unfounded, Dan.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
However, it's always best to check this thing
thoroughly.
You never know Things.
Little things turn into bigthings.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
I hear Tony, calling out, tony calling, let's get
going.
Let's get going.
(10:19):
The officer is going inside.
Okay, what seemed to be thetrouble here?
Oh, I fell down the back stairs.
You fell down the back stairs.
Who do you live with here,ma'am?
Speaker 7 (10:34):
She's all right.
Oh, a friend of mine.
I've known her a long time.
Have you been drinking tonight?
Yes, I had a couple drinks.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Now, why don't you tell us the truth?
Now I see your shoulders areall scratched.
It's not from falling, BecauseI'll tell you why.
The citizen that called up saidit's been going on for the last
15 to 20 minutes.
Now you haven't been falling upand down those steps for the
last 15, 20 minutes, have you no?
Speaker 6 (10:59):
Well, tell us what the scoop is.
We're here to help you, not tohurt you.
Come on now, tell us your story.
You been living here withsomebody.
Where's he at?
Speaker 7 (11:14):
Not.
Speaker 6 (11:15):
Who beat you up tonight?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Nobody beat me up.
Well, is that party here, thisnobody that you're talking about
.
Is he here now?
No, Did he leave?
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Where'd he go?
You have an awful bruise onyour back there.
What did he hit you with Hisfist?
No, nobody hit me.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Your back's all scratched.
Now let's have the truth.
Let's have the truth.
I can't have the steps.
You can't scratch yourself likethat on the steps.
Speaker 6 (11:53):
Well, if you don't want any help, we're here to
help you.
Ma'am, we didn't come here justto talk to you.
If you're having anydifficulties, why don't you tell
us about it?
What is it?
Your common-law husband.
Speaker 7 (12:07):
No, the boyfriend, mm-mm, are you afraid?
I fell down the back step.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I know you've told us that now that's not the truth
and you know it.
Now we're here to help you.
Just like the officer said, goget a chicken.
All right, we'll talk with theother party.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Let's go in and talk with them.
The man in the house hereseemed to think it was the woman
in the front room that did thebeating.
Oh, is she here now?
She is another person in thefront room sleeping here.
Who beat you up and why?
What was the reason?
Yes, ma'am, someone did beatyou.
You have marks all over yourback there, your arms.
(12:47):
Now, why did they beat you?
Tell us now.
Don't start crying, just tellus the story.
Nobody beat me, ma'am.
You couldn't have done thatyourself, could you?
Hmm, let's check with thisother lady.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
Hmm, let's check with this other lady.
There are officer surgeons inthe room now.
Hey, was there a littledifficulty here a little while
ago?
Not that I know of Between youand the other lady.
No, next room Me.
Have you heard any screamingwithin the last 15, 20 minutes?
No, have you been in bed allnight?
(13:27):
Uh-huh, let me check your elbowthere.
Lift your arm up.
It's all skinned.
Oh, that's nothing.
Have you been fighting tonightwith that girl next door?
No, listen, does she drinkquite a bit?
Uh-huh, she got beat up tonight.
She howls quite a bit too.
Yeah, what about Nothing?
Just for no reason at all, justhollers.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Well, she's pretty well marked up.
She just screams period.
Let me see your elbow again.
That looks like a freshlyinjured elbow.
My elbow, right there, see,right there.
No.
Speaker 6 (14:00):
Would you have beef with her?
Sure she did we.
Would you have beef with her?
Sure she did.
We aren't going to arrest you,we just want to find out what
the scoop is.
We're here to keep the peace.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Now listen, let's have the truth.
They almost say that you did.
Let's get this thing on thedoor here.
Speaker 9 (14:18):
Not that I know of.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Well, that's what the mother party in the kitchen was
saying there now.
Well, did something report thisor something?
You've been drinking that,mm-hmm, I've been drinking that.
You've been drinking with her?
Yeah, I've been drinking too.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
I mean, you know, you all live in this house.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Um, I live here, yeah , how many girls live here.
Speaker 10 (14:41):
Um, just me, we just don't ride along, I know it.
Oh, just me, I know.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Well who are these two ladies?
Speaker 6 (14:49):
Well, they come over and visit us, because you were
screaming and fighting andeverything else.
Well, what are you supposed tosay?
Didn't do anything, I didn'tknow there was any noise, was it
noise?
Speaker 7 (15:07):
Well, let's not have any more of this.
Now I come to visit.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
You just came to visit tonight.
Oh, you're not living here asan occupant.
She says she was fighting withthe one that's in bed in the
front room tonight and that theyfight every so often and they
admit they've both been drinkingquite a bit.
(15:32):
She's not interested inprosecuting and, as far as she's
concerned, why, she doesn'teven care if we want to help her
or not.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
She just as soon we forget about it forget about
find out the reason for thefight.
Let's go to the station with.
The other options are maybethey have an answer for surgeon.
(16:03):
Did you and civil finally findout what that was all about?
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Well, dan, it seems as though that you know.
Remember the lady in the frontbedroom there that was in the
bed.
Well, she and the one that wasin the middle bedroom crying,
they came up from Stockton andthey started drinking with that
man and that other lady, withthat man and that other lady,
(16:28):
and this other lady accused theblonde of fooling around with
this man that lives there, andthis other lady that came from
Stockton with the blonde startedprotecting him.
One thing led to another, andthe two of them got into a fight
and they were fighting out inthe back, and then they saw the
police coming down the alley, sothey ran into the house to get
(16:49):
out of the policeman way andthen, finally, tony found where
the disturbance was, and thatwas about all.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
The report of a woman screaming indicated anything
from assault and robbery tomurder.
It was something of ananticlimax when it turned out to
be two women clawing andscratching over a man who,
incidentally, was 77 years old.
They quieted down and noarrests were made.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
Unit 3.
Unit 3, a man broke a window inthe laundry at 3rd and K King
and is going east on 3rd Streetfrom L.
There's a tall colored manfollowing him.
940a on that Code.
2.
(17:34):
Check 3.
Came in on a 7.
Check 3, came in on a 7.
This window smash.
We have a license number.
It's the car involved.
Speaker 9 (17:45):
Late, model, yellow, with a continental kit, license
number ARB702.
There's a window smash about3rd and K Street.
Unit 3 got the call.
They also had another call inthe vicinity and had to leave
(18:07):
the scene of the window smash sothey called in Unit 2.
Unit 2 is covering the buildinguntil they can contact the
owner.
A description of the car andlicense number has been
broadcast.
Unit 4 has just picked up thatcar or one answering the
description.
(18:28):
They're returning them to thescene.
Let's go down and see if we canfind out what actually happened
.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
Hi, ben, what do you got here?
Well, we have a window smashhere, 1106 3rd Street.
This citizen here, gentlemanthere seen two fellas, one of
them break the window and whenhe come near one of them says
somebody's coming to get out ofhere.
And they went south to L Streetand then they headed over to
5th and fifth now and they gotinto a car license number.
(19:00):
He got the number, jotted thenumber down ARB 702 and Took off
and car.
We announced the number on theair and car for has spotted them
.
They're gonna bring him back thedescription on, have him
identify.
One was just tall, mexican, hesaid.
The other was short, dark.
He thought it was was negro,but he said it could have been
dark mexican and, uh, they'regoing to bring him here for him
(19:22):
to identify him.
And I guess all we have ismalicious mischief.
At the time they didn't getanything, he said, because they
saw him coming and they statedthat uh, here comes somebody,
let's get out of here.
Who's your partner?
Uh, harrington, was he talkingto that witness?
Now he's over there.
Yes, he has questioned him.
Okay, we'll go talk to him.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Uh, where were you and your wife when you first
seen the man coming down?
Speaker 7 (19:49):
Me and my wife was walking from this street.
Up there, let's see the NewBanks Cafe.
Speaker 9 (19:55):
Let's move over the New Banks Cafe.
Let's move over away from thestreet blocks huh.
Speaker 7 (20:02):
Now we see about half the places behind these guys.
This is a colored guy, either aMexican or a Puerto Rican, 7.
And one big, tall one lookedlike a Mexican or white man.
He come along and bust open thewindow.
Rich is hanging there andanother guy grabbed him, drug
him on down the street and hestuck along, stuck along all the
way down the street.
Rich is hanging there, anotherguy grabbed him, drug him on
down the street and they stuckalong, stuck all the way down
the street.
We meet her, trailed him righton.
I said look at them guysbreaking the hindrance plate.
(20:22):
She said let's trail him, callthe police.
So we trailed him on down tothis corner here and I go in
that liquor store.
I followed me up going on LStreet and I followed them on
down to Fulton L and theytussled out a little bit.
Then they went on down by thatparking lot down there and they
got in a yellow automobile atthe bottom I don't know what
(20:44):
color at the top and I said whatkind of car is that?
She said I don't know.
I said well, get the licensenumber.
And she got the license numberAR on up this way on 5th Street,
unit 4, just arrived.
Speaker 9 (21:07):
The car in question is being driven by the other
officer, Green.
Is this the car that was?
Speaker 8 (21:10):
involved?
I don't know.
This is the car that was putout on the radio and we picked
it up at Carl's Drive-In at 38thand Broadway.
Speaker 9 (21:19):
Well, here's the two witnesses Green.
They identify the car, theyidentify this man and they'd
like to have you get the onethat's sitting in the back seat
out so they can see the onewho's sitting in the back seat?
Speaker 8 (21:29):
Okay, on which side?
On this side, on this side ofthe car.
Speaker 9 (21:38):
Yes, officer Green is getting the other man out of
the car so he can be.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
That's the one right there, he's the one.
He's the one who broke thiswindow here.
Yeah, he's the one.
He's the one who broke thewindow.
Speaker 10 (21:53):
Same code.
That's the one.
That's the same man.
Speaker 8 (21:56):
What's that Green.
He has blood on his hand here,bruce, from a cut.
Speaker 11 (21:59):
What'd they try?
Speaker 2 (22:00):
to do.
Speaker 8 (22:01):
That's the same one.
Where'd you get this blood at?
I know he was carrying it Imight have hit a window.
Speaker 6 (22:05):
You might have hit a window, mm-hmm.
Speaker 8 (22:09):
Where might you?
Speaker 10 (22:10):
have hit the window at Either down this street or
the next street.
Down Was this gentleman withyou?
Speaker 8 (22:16):
No, he wasn't, you was by yourself.
I was no, I was with him, youwas with him at the time.
Speaker 10 (22:23):
No, I never seen this man before and he just Stop
it.
I never seen this man before.
I never seen this man before.
Wait a minute, wait a minute,wait a minute.
You hit Okay, I never, when Iwas still I don't know.
I was trying to help you he hitthe.
Speaker 8 (22:38):
He was with you when he hit the.
No, I never I never.
Speaker 10 (22:40):
I never seen this, but I never said I would, just I
was I hope.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
Is he in the service also?
No way, no way.
Speaker 10 (22:46):
It's just a guy you picked up uh, I'll be glad to
pay for this window.
I will.
I felt responsible for it.
I mean, he got a little high.
I was trying to take him home.
Speaker 7 (22:57):
He took him out on the street.
I got him to the car.
He's twice my size.
Don't say you don't know me,that's all right, I don't know,
officer, Stop it.
Speaker 10 (23:09):
Well, I just want to say my piece.
I have been on parole since the27th of February.
What for?
I was put up for burglary andcar theft.
Since that time I have beenworking and I would like to keep
that job if I possibly could.
Speaker 8 (23:32):
Do you go around breaking windows like this all
the time Only?
Speaker 10 (23:36):
when I'm drunk.
If you would explain to my oldman, my dad, that I am
uncontrollable when I'm drunk, Iwould surely appreciate it.
How old are you?
I'm 17.
And you drink like this all thetime.
I've drank like this for thepast two weeks.
Speaker 8 (24:00):
Pretty bad shape for such a young kid.
I agree with him.
Speaker 9 (24:07):
Well, there's no question that this man broke the
window.
What are you going to do now,Green?
Speaker 8 (24:11):
Well, we'll try to meet the car that made the
report and if they don't comeback in a few minutes, We'll
take them into the station andturn them over to them and let
them Long.
It'll get these people's namesand addresses and We'll give
them for.
Speaker 10 (24:27):
I would like to make a quest, a statement, this time
.
I Think If you would make mepay for the window and all the
damage that was done, I workedfor $2.32 an hour.
Speaker 9 (24:43):
The window was worth about $9, right, it would have
made it much simpler for you tostay here in the first place.
It would have Made somearrangements.
Speaker 10 (24:53):
But I didn't want to confess to these people that I
was under 21.
I mean, they didn't knowanything about it.
I mean you can tell yourselfthat I'm very you been drinking
down here in the lower end.
Speaker 8 (25:06):
No, I haven't when you been drinking at, could I
not tell you?
I'd like to know where you'vebeen drinking Out there, at the
floor.
You've been drinking out on thefloor in a bar, that's right.
You drink out there all thetime.
No, this was the first night,first night you've been drinking
(25:27):
out there.
Mm-hmm.
Well, we're going to take youto the station.
Speaker 9 (25:31):
Bruce.
I think that would be the bestunder the circumstances.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
This case could have been more serious than it turned
out, with burglary apossibility.
The alertness of the couple,who wrote down the license
number of the car and called thepolice, resulted in the speedy
apprehension of the culprit.
He was booked on a charge ofmalicious mischief and parole to
his parents.
Speaker 11 (25:52):
This is Unit 99 in Sacramento, California.
These on-the-scene taperecordings were provided by the
Sacramento Police Department andwere made on duty by Sergeant
Dan Meredith in Unit 99.
Your host is Chief James VHicks of the Sacramento Police
Department.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
KMA 907, sacramento Police, unit 99,.
Are you in the clear?
Speaker 3 (26:27):
Unit 99 to KMA 907.
Speaker 11 (26:36):
Unit 99, sergeant Meredith, you through the
worldwide facilities of theUnited States Armed Forces Radio
and Television Service.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Thank you for listening.
Thank you, Cecilia.
Thank you for listening to PatsPeeps 313.
We'll see you on the radio.
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